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Biden Urges Netanyahu to Declare Humanitarian Pause in Gaza
(Wall Street Journal) Vivian Salama - President Joe Biden, in a phone call on Monday, urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a humanitarian pause in Gaza, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. Israel has set the release of all 241 hostages taken by Hamas as the condition for any pause in its military operations. In talks with Egypt and Qatar, Hamas political leaders at times expressed willingness to release some civilian hostages, while leaders of the group's military wing opposed the idea. Israeli military spokesman Lt.-Col. Richard Hecht said the Israeli military had already destroyed large portions of the two Hamas brigades that are defending Gaza City. Hamas has an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 fighters, divided into six brigades.